Italian Glasses

If you are myopic, you don’t choose your glasses at random! Your habits, your requirements, your style, but also your age, your degree of myopia, and even its possible progression, are all criteria that will determine your choice of lenses and frames. Lenses, although invisible, are a real concentrate of technology. To choose them correctly, your lenses must meet 3 criteria:

1. Correct your vision, thanks to a very complex geometry that not only responds exactly to your visual prescription, but also to all your needs and lifestyles.

2. Protect your eyes from potentially harmful light (UV, blue light, glare) thanks to technologies that help preserve your visual health.

3. Enhance your look with surface treatments that make lenses more transparent and less messy. Against reflections, fingerprints, etc., choose the best coatings for lenses that will provide you with maximum comfort.

A few decisive points for all myopes

• When you are myopic, you expect at least to get out of the blur in the distance, but you also want high-resolution vision that provides precision in details and reliefs and is adapted to all situations. Not all corrective lens geometries are created equal. For example, an Eyezen® lens corrects myopia, our distance vision, but, unlike an ordinary lens, it is also designed for our connected life, and therefore our need for comfort in near vision.
• When you are myopic, the corrective lenses are concave, i.e. they are thicker at the edge than in the centre. If you are concerned about the aesthetic appearance of your glasses, as well as your eyes behind the lenses, you should consider thinned lenses with a high index, which limit the thickness of the lens and the optical effect of shrinking the eye. The thickness of a thinned lens can be reduced by up to 40% compared to an ordinary lens (comparison of the thickness of two Essilor lenses with the same prescription and different indices).
• When you are myopic, unlike your distance vision, your near vision is more than perfect. This is why we are extra-sensitive to all the “defects” that can appear on the lens: reflections, dust, fingerprints, etc. The unrivalled performance of Crizal® coatings frees you from these enemies of vision.
• When you are myopic, you often need to wear your glasses all day, not just to work. That’s why it’s important to make sure you have good protection all day long. Transitions® smart lenses adapt to light and are a practical solution to protect against changes in light: clear indoors and at night, they automatically turn dark outside in the sun.

As far as frames are concerned, all styles are accessible to short-sighted people as long as they follow these few tips:

• Your myopia is slight, below 1.5 dioptres. The good news is that there are no restrictions on your choice of frames. Drilled frames, extra-wide frames, metal frames, acetate frames… You are spoilt for choice!
• Your myopia is average, up to 6 dioptres. Thanks to thinned lenses, the choice of a frame remains very open to match the style you like. Some frames make it easier to hide any unsightly thickness. Examples: a reasonably sized frame that allows the eyecare professional to trim the thickest edge of the optical lens, or an acetate frame with thick edges to hide the edge of the lens.
• Your myopia is high. Choose a frame with small lenses. On the other hand, avoid a so-called pierced frame (without metal or acetate edges) which will not hide the thickness of the lens.

Tell me what kind of myope you are… And I’ll tell you which lenses to choose

Antoine, 7 years old, two incisors missing, a first prescription for a small myopia of 0.75 diopters (-0.75).

To correct his myopia, nothing is better than Eyezen® Start lenses, which are suitable for marking a basket, copying the blackboard in class, reading or watching a cartoon on his tablet. The important thing for Antoine is that he can continue to move around as he likes, without worrying about the durability of his lenses. Airwear® Junior is recommended for its lightness and durability. To protect the health of his eyes in the long term, make sure his lenses offer the best UV protection, such as with Crizal® Sapphire™ HR coating.

Julie, 10 years old, is an avid comic book reader. Her myopia has been progressing at a steady rate (one diopter per year) since it appeared three years ago. Today, she is -4.50 diopters.

For Julie, Essilor has developed a solution available on medical prescription to slow the progression of myopia in young children. This is the Essilor Stellest™ lens.

Alexandre, 18 years old, a student with a passion for everything. Between football matches, maths homework and video games, his myopia has progressed slightly, but steadily, since it first appeared. It is associated with a slight astigmatism and his prescription indicates: -2.50 (-0.75) 90°.

To correct Alexandre’s vision, Eyezen®+ lenses, which are high definition for distance vision and optimized for near vision to relieve his eyes, are the most suitable for his connected life. For his average myopia, the Ormix® material, with an index of 1.6, is recommended. Thinner and lighter, it is aesthetically pleasing and comfortable.

Inès, 23 years old and a keen horse rider, has just graduated as a physiotherapist. Her myopia has (finally!) stabilised at -5.00 dioptres

Eyezen® Start lenses are the best choice to correct her myopia. Because she can’t do without her glasses, Ines needs lenses that give her ultra-precise and comfortable vision at all times of her life, whether she’s seeing far away in the street or checking her Instagram feed. Choosing a material with a slimmed-down index is essential for Ines. If she chooses glasses with a thicker rim, such as an acetate frame, she would be better off with a Stylis® in 1.67, or even a very high index, Lineis®, in 1.74, if she opts for a thin metal frame. Ines rides her bike to visit clients so she doesn’t have to change her glasses all day, and Transitions technology allows her to get through any light situation comfortably. She can even choose the color she wants to match her frames.

Vincent, 45, a management controller, has been mypic since he was 10 years old. For the past few months, he has had to take off his glasses in order to be able to read his tables of figures: he has become presbyopic.

In order to stop juggling his glasses and to be able to see well both near and far, Varilux® lenses are now the most suitable for Vincent. Because he is often bothered by light pollution, generated by LED lighting or car headlights, a high-performance anti-reflective coating like Crizal® Sapphire™ HR is recommended for Vincent. The light parasites are captured, the lenses are sublimated.

Do you recognise yourself in the profile of Antoine, Inès or Vincent, but still need advice on choosing your glasses? Ask your eyecare professional for advice, he will help you to choose the best solution, optically and aesthetically.

Reasons you can’t see while you drive at night

Driving at night can be riskier than driving during the day, due to increased road hazards and eye conditions that can affect your ability to see in darker settings. These factors impact drivers all around the world. Have you ever wondered, “Why can’t I see as well when I drive at night ?” or “Should I wear special glasses to drive at night?” While the answers may vary depending on individual cases, this guide will help you understand some particular reasons you have trouble seeing you drive at night, and what to do to fix the problem.

Vision-related risks of night driving

Having trouble seeing at night is common everywhere in the world. Out of 34 million drivers in the United Kingdom, 17 million struggle to see at night, and the accident fatality rate is reportedly three times greater at night than during the day.

One study found that more than 60% of vehicle accidents happen at night time in India, due to factors such as driver’s visual fatigue and performance, as well as poor visibility in general.In South Korea, the fatality rate of accidents that take place at night is 53.38%. The statistics are affected by the reduced quality of visibility that drivers experience during darker hours of the day.

Glare from headlights

One of the most prominent reasons drivers have trouble seeing at night is light from oncoming traffic.

Headlights, high beams and fog lights are designed to help drivers see at night, but they can also produce adverse effects. Glare can be distracting, irritating and reduce your reaction time. So what can you do about it?

If you wear glasses, one of the best ways to improve your night vision is to choose a lens solution with an anti-glare or anti-reflective (AR) coating. This unique lens enhancement can reduce glare given off by oncoming headlights, street sign reflections and other bothersome light. AR-coated lenses can improve your visual comfort and clarity, enhancing your vision for a safer night-driving experience.

Difficulty seeing your dashboard (presbyopia)

Having trouble seeing the dashboard, centre console, GPS, and other small features in your car could be a sign of presbyopia if you’re over 40. An estimated 1.8 billion people around the world have presbyopia, and many of these cases are untreated.

The inability to see objects up close can be a risk to your night driving, as it can prevent you from monitoring a safe speed on your odometer, navigating directions on your GPS, or even ensuring that your lights are working correctly. Glasses may be all you need to rectify this problem.

Presbyopia affects vision with age and makes it difficult for you to focus on close objects. If you are experiencing blurriness, or if it has been a while since your last eye exam, it may be time to schedule an appointment with your eyecare professional.

Blurry road signs and distant objects (myopia)

Shortsightedness, or myopia, is another significant risk for driving at night if left uncorrected. Myopia makes it difficult to see objects that are far away, such as road signs, debris, cyclists and pedestrians. 

Road hazards are even harder to spot at night when visibility is reduced, and light is limited. More light reflects off of road signs — making them even more challenging to read, other road users are harder to see — including vehicles and pedestrians — and animals are more likely to run out into the road when it’s dark out. The inability to see such objects is dangerous for you and everyone else on the road.

It is estimated that myopia affects 1.89 billion people globally. If you’ve noticed a change in your ability to see distant objects as you drive (during the day or night), you may need to update your vision prescription. A quick eye exam with your eyecare professional will be able to determine this.

Streaky or blurred lights (Astigmatism)

Astigmatism means your eye is typically shaped more like a rugby ball than a football, which alters the way light is focused. In fact, the light is focused in more than one place which can cause blurriness.

When it comes to driving at night, astigmatism can also have an impact on how you see lights such as car headlights and streetlamps. You’re likely to experience increased glare, halos or streaks around the lights, which can be difficult and will likely force you to squint in order to focus better. This can be worse at night when there are more lights coming from your dashboard and other drivers.

Wearing the right lenses can help to mitigate the effects of this, as the lens can help to focus the light correctly on to the retina. A routine eye examination can determine whether you have astigmatism, and your eyecare professional can dispense corrective lenses to compensate for your eye’s irregular shape. Unfortunately, astigmatism will not cure itself and it’s likely you’ll need to wear glasses for astigmatism to correct it.

Night blindness (nyctalopia)

Night blindness, or nyctalopia, refers to poor vision that occurs in dim light or darkness. Like presbyopia and myopia, night blindness can pose a dangerous threat to driving at night because it limits the visual capabilities of an affected driver.

This disorder can be caused by cataracts, glaucoma, myopia and other vision conditions. In some cases, glasses can treat night blindness, but treatment ultimately depends on the underlying cause. 

Driving in darker conditions can be challenging to begin with, and night blindness can make it truly dangerous. If you’re experiencing symptoms of nyctalopia (halos or glares around lights, trouble seeing distant objects, blurry vision, light sensitivity, etc.), consult your eyecare professional.

Safety tips for driving at night

Vehicle and personal safety measures should be taken every time you get behind the wheel — but especially when you drive at night. According to the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration, 23% of all injury crashes and 37% of all fatal crashes in the United States in 2016 occurred between 6 p.m. and 6 a.m.

The Fédération Internationale de l’Automobile (FIA) created the Golden Rules for Road Safety as guidelines for drivers to keep themselves and other road users safer in transit. To start: Check your vision regularly, protect your eyes from glare and always wear your glasses on the road. The FIA also advises that motorists:

• Always pay attention
• Obey the speed limit
• Buckle up
• Use a child safety seat
• Check their tyres
• Don’t text and drive 
• Stay bright in reflective gear
• Wear a helmet
• Stop when they’re tired
• Watch out for pedestrians, especially kids
• Slow down for kids
• Never drink and drive

Improve your vision at night for driving

How can you improve your vision at night? In addition to the tips above, your vision must be as clear as possible.

Many vision problems that weaken your eyesight while you drive at night can be treated with corrective glasses or contacts. Your vision changes as you age, so regular eye exams are essential. You may need to update your prescription to drive more safely and efficiently at night. 

If you suspect you have an eyesight issue directly affecting your ability to drive at night, consult your eyecare professional as soon as you can.

Reducing reflections at night

Sometimes you can still struggle with reflections on your lenses at night, which can be bothersome and make driving at night an uncomfortable experience. You can fix this by adding a lens coating to your lenses, which can help to remove reflections and reduce glare.

Crizal Drive is specifically designed to help you feel more comfortable behind the wheel, removing up to 90% of reflections. What’s more, Crizal Drive can also help to protect your lenses against scratches, smudges and dust, as well as offering an E-SPF rating of 25. This helps you to enjoy clear lenses with added UV protection while out and about.

Where can I buy lenses for driving at night?

Lenses for driving at night can be very beneficial and can help to solve a number of vision problems, not to mention helping you to feel more confident and comfortable on the road. The right lenses for night driving can give you back some independence, which for many can be life-changing.

You can find your local Essilor eyecare professional who will guide you to the right pair of lenses for your individual needs. Your eyecare professional can provide the necessary eye care services, with the latest technology and lens types including progressive lenses, single vision lenses and lens coatings. Use our online eyecare professional finder to start your search.